Transparent display case with resilient long-life hinge

Abstract

A display case includes separately formed components: (1) a casing which defines an internal cavity having an open end, and (2) a latching closure device with an integrated living hinge. The two components are made of different plastic materials, wherein the different materials have properties advantageously suited for each component. Preferably, the living hinge and closure device is made of a resilient plastic, while the casing is made of a substantially transparent plastic through which the interior of the casing and its contents can be viewed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A display case comprising: (a) a casing constructed of a first plastic material which defines an internal cavity and having an open end; and   (b) a closure device constructed of a second plastic material different from the fist plastic material, having a closure panel and an appendage secured to the closure panel which is pivotal in relation to the closure panel by means of a living hinge, whereby an attachment means for attaching said closure device to said casing proximal to said open end secures said appendage in a position proximal to said open end such that said closure panel can open and close in relation to said open end by pivoting upon said living hinge.   
     
     
       2. A display case according to claim 1 further comprising a latching means for latching said closure panel in a closed position. 
     
     
       3. A display case according to claim 1 wherein the first plastic material is a substantially transparent plastic. 
     
     
       4. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said second plastic material is a substantially resilient plastic. 
     
     
       5. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said first plastic material is a substantially transparent plastic and said second plastic material is a resilient plastic. 
     
     
       6. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means is a semi-permanent snap-fit such that said closure device is replaceable. 
     
     
       7. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said closure device is constructed of a colored plastic. 
     
     
       8. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said first plastic material is polystyrene. 
     
     
       9. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said first plastic material is a butadiene-styrene polymer. 
     
     
       10. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said second plastic material is polypropylene. 
     
     
       11. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said first plastic material is selected from a group consisting of polystyrene and butadiene-styrene, and said second plastic material is polypropylene. 
     
     
       12. A display case according to claim 2 wherein said latching means comprises: (a) an extension on said closure panel;   (b) a lip on said extension; and,   (c) an associated ridge on the outer wall of said casing adjacent to said open end;   whereby the engagement of said lip and said ridge latches the closure panel in a closed position.   
     
     
       13. A display case according to claim 2 wherein said latching means comprises: (a) an extension of said casing adjacent to said open end;   (b) a lip on said extension; and,   (c) an associated ridge on the closure panel;   whereby the engagement of said lip and said ridge latches the closure panel in a closed position.   
     
     
       14. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises: (a) at least one slot formed in said casing; and,   (b) at least one tab extending from said appendage wherein said tab is engageable with said slot.   
     
     
       15. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises: (a) at least one slot formed in said appendage to said closure device; and,   (b) at least one tab extending from said casing engageable with said slot.   
     
     
       16. A display case according to claim 5 wherein said internal cavity is of a size and shape such that it is adapted to receive a video cassette within its advertising jacket. 
     
     
       17. A display case according to claim 16 wherein said casing has at least one inwardly projecting protrusion which engages with an inserted advertising jacket such that said engagement impedes the withdrawal of said advertising jacket while simultaneously allowing slidable withdrawal of said video cassette. 
     
     
       18. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means is a mechanical connection. 
     
     
       19. A display case according to claim 18 wherein said mechanical connection is a connection selected from the group consisting of permanent snap fit, semi-permanent snap fit, heat sealing, gluing, sonic welding, screws, staples and rivets. 
     
     
       20. A display case adapted for the storage of a video cassette, comprising: (a) a casing formed of a first plastic material defining a hollow interior cavity sufficient in size and shape to receive a video cassette in a advertising jacket, wherein said casing has an open end;   (b) a closure device constructed of a second plastic material different from the first plastic material said closure device being separately fabricated from said casing and being separate from said casing prior to attachment thereto, said closure device having a closure panel and an appendage, a living hinge disposed along a side of the closure panel, wherein said living hinge provides a pivotal connection of said closure panel to said appendage, with said appendage being attachable to said casing in a predetermined position proximal to said open end, thereby providing a pivotal connection of said closure panel to said casing when said closure panel is attached to said casing such that said closure panel can pivot along the axis of the living hinge between open and closed positions relative to said open end; and   (c) a latching means for securing said closure panel in said closed position.   
     
     
       21. A video display case according to claim 20 wherein said first plastic material is selected from a group consisting of polystyrene and butadiene-styrene, and said second plastic material is polypropylene. 
     
     
       22. A video cassette display case according to claim 21 wherein said casing has at least one internally projecting protrusion within said hollow interior cavity such that said protrusion engages said advertising jacket but does not engage said video such that said video cassette may be withdrawn from said casing while said protrusion simultaneously impedes the withdrawal of said advertising jacket. 
     
     
       23. A video cassette display case according to claim 22 further comprising disengaging means for disengaging said advertising jacket from said protrusion, wherein said disengaging means comprises at least one hole in the end opposite to said open end permitting an implement to be inserted to forcibly disengage said jacket from said protrusion. 
     
     
       24. A video cassette display case according to claim 20 wherein said appendage is attachable to said casing in a semi-permanent snap-fit manner such that said closure device is replaceable. 
     
     
       25. A video cassette display case according to claim 20 wherein said closure device is constructed of a colored plastic. 
     
     
       26. A display case comprising: (a) a casing constructed of a first plastic material which defines an internal cavity and having an open end; and   (b) a closure device constructed of a second plastic material different from the first plastic material, said closure device comprising a closure panel, an appendage secured to said closure panel which is pivotal in relation to said closure panel by means of a living hinge, and attachment means for detachably securing said appendage to said casing for the removal and replacement of said closure device, said closure device being attachable to said casing in a position proximal to said open end such that when attached to said casing said closure panel can open and close in relation to said open end by pivoting upon said living hinge.   
     
     
       27. A display case according to claim 26 further comprising a latching means for latching said closure panel in a closed position. 
     
     
       28. A display case according to claim 26 wherein said attachment means is a snap-fit. 
     
     
       29. A display case according to claim 26 wherein said first plastic material is a substantially transparent plastic. 
     
     
       30. A display case according to claim 20 wherein said second plastic material is a substantially resilient plastic.